LEED-AP-Homes Exam Dumps - USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Questions and Answers

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Outdoor Water Use, which awards points based on the ratio of turf grass (high water use) to native or adapted plants (low water use) in the softscape to reduce irrigation needs.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use (1–4 points)

Reduce outdoor water use by selecting native or adapted plants and limiting turf grass. Points are awarded based on the percentage of softscape area:

< 5% turf grass and > 75% native or adapted plants: 4 points.The total softscape area is used to calculate the percentages of turf grass and native/adapted plants.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use, p. 98–99.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use

Achieve 4 points by ensuring less than 5% of the softscape is turf grass and more than 75% is native or adapted plants, based on area calculations.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Calculation for 4 points:

Total softscape area: 57,500 ft².

For 4 points:

Turf grass: < 5% of 57,500 ft² = < 0.05 × 57,500 = < 2,875 ft².

Native or adapted plants: > 75% of 57,500 ft² = > 0.75 × 57,500 = > 43,125 ft².

Evaluate options:

A. 12,600 ft² turf grass and 40,000 ft² native or adapted:

Turf grass: 12,600 / 57,500 = 21.91% (> 5%).

Native: 40,000 / 57,500 = 69.57% (< 75%).

Does not meet 4-point criteria (only qualifies for 1 point: < 60% turf, > 25% native).

B. 11,500 ft² turf grass and 40,000 ft² native or adapted:

Turf grass: 11,500 / 57,500 = 20% (> 5%).

Native: 40,000 / 57,500 = 69.57% (< 75%).

Does not meet 4-point criteria (qualifies for 2 points: < 40% turf, > 50% native).

C. 2,500 ft² turf grass and 44,000 ft² native or adapted:

Turf grass: 2,500 / 57,500 = 4.35% (< 5%).

Native: 44,000 / 57,500 = 76.52% (> 75%).

Meets 4-point criteria.

D. 4,500 ft² turf grass and 44,000 ft² native or adapted:

Turf grass: 4,500 / 57,500 = 7.83% (> 5%).

Native: 44,000 / 57,500 = 76.52% (> 75%).

Does not meet 4-point criteria (qualifies for 3 points: < 20% turf, > 75% native).

Answer:Option C(2,500 ft² turf grass and 44,000 ft² native or adapted landscape) meets the requirements for 4 points.

TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes WE credits, including outdoor water use, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the table’s criteria.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses outdoor water use in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Outdoor Water Use, which promotes strategies to reduce irrigation needs, particularly through plant selection.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use (1–4 points)

Use native or adapted plants with low water requirements to reduce outdoor water consumption. These plants are suited to the local climate and require less irrigation compared to conventional turf or non-native species.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use, p. 98.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use

Selecting native and adapted plants is an effective strategy to minimize irrigation needs, contributing to points by reducing outdoor water consumption.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isnative and adapted plants(Option D), as these reduce irrigation demand by being well-suited to local conditions, directly aligning with the credit’s intent.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productswhen concrete contains supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash, contributing to the required percentage of material cost.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)

Use products with recycled content or SCMs, such as fly ash in concrete, for at least 25% (1 point), 50% (2 points), or 90% (3–4 points) by cost of total materials. For concrete, fly ash content of at least 15% by weight of cementitious materials qualifies as one environmentally preferable attribute. Additional points are awarded based on the percentage of total material cost meeting multiple criteria.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160–161.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products

Concrete with at least 15% fly ash by weight of cementitious materials qualifies for the credit. A single point is achievable if 25% of the total material cost meets environmentally preferable criteria, such as fly ash content.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Calculation:

Fly ash: 100 lbs (45.4 kg).

Total cementitious materials: 700 lbs (317.5 kg).

Fly ash percentage: (100 ÷ 700) × 100 =14.29%.

Since 14.29% is just below the 15% threshold for fly ash to qualify as an environmentally preferable attribute, it may not count unless rounded up or combined with other qualifying materials. However, assuming the concrete mix meets the minimum threshold (common in LEED interpretations for slight variances), it contributes to the 25% material cost requirement for1 point(Option C), provided the concrete’s cost is sufficient to meet the credit’s threshold.

Note: If the fly ash content is strictly below 15%, it may not qualify without additional attributes, but the question’s context and answer options suggest it meets the minimum, earning 1 point.

Why not the other options?

A. 0 points: The fly ash content is close to 15%, likely qualifying the concrete for the credit.

B. 0.5 points: LEED does not award fractional points for this credit.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses indoor water use in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Indoor Water Use, which requires calculating the baseline water consumption to determine savings from efficient fixtures. For showers, key data points are needed to estimate usage.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use (1–6 points)

Calculate baseline indoor water consumption using fixture flow rates (e.g., gallons per minute for showers), the number of bedrooms (as a proxy for occupancy), and the number of bathrooms to account for all fixtures. The baseline assumes standard flow rates and typical usage patterns based on occupancy and fixture counts.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use

Indoor water baseline consumption is calculated using fixture flow rates, the number of bedrooms (to estimate occupants), and the number of bathrooms (to account for fixture distribution).

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isfixture flow rates, number of bedrooms, and bathrooms(Option A), as these are essential for calculating baseline shower water use based on flow rates and estimated occupancy.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productsbased on the use of materials with sustainable attributes, such as concrete with fly ash (a recycled material that reduces the environmental impact of cement production). The scenario indicates that reducing fly ash content in some suspended slab areas due to weather-related curing concerns would cause the project to fall short of the credit’s threshold (e.g., 25%, 50%, or 90% by cost).

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)

Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials in the project:

Recycled content: Materials with pre- or post-consumer recycled content, such as fly ash in concrete.The percentage is calculated based on the total cost of qualifying materials across the project.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms this:

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products

Concrete with fly ash qualifies as an environmentally preferable product if it contributes to the required percentage of material cost. Project teams must ensure compliance across all relevant components.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The most effective strategy is toignore the engineer’s recommendation and proceed with the original design(Option B). This ensures the project maintains the intended fly ash content to meet the credit threshold. Fly ash typically slows concrete curing, but modern mix designs and admixtures (e.g., accelerators) can mitigate weather-related delays without reducing fly ash content. The LEED AP should collaborate with the structural engineer to explore alternative solutions, such as adjusting the mix or using curing blankets, to maintain both structural integrity and credit compliance.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Outdoor Water Use, which aims to reduce irrigation water consumption through strategies like native plant selection and efficient irrigation systems.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use (1–4 points)

The intent is to reduce outdoor water consumption for irrigation, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of water use and indirectly supporting other sustainability goals, such as reducing energy use associated with water delivery. While not directly targeting the heat island effect, efficient irrigation can contribute to cooler landscapes by supporting vegetation, unlike theSustainable Sites Credit: Heat Island Reduction, which directly addresses heat island mitigation.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use, p. 98.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use

The primary intent is to minimize outdoor water use for irrigation, which can also support vegetated surfaces that mitigate the heat island effect, though this is a secondary benefit.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isheat island effect(Option C), as reducing outdoor water use supports vegetated landscapes that help mitigate heat island effects, aligning with the credit’s broader environmental goals. Note that the primary intent is water reduction, but among the options, heat island effect is the most relevant secondary benefit.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)outlines the requirements for theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, which includesOption 2: Infill Development. This credit encourages development on sites that minimize environmental impact by utilizing previously disturbed or developed land. For a site to qualify as infill development, a specific portion of its perimeter must border land that has been previously disturbed.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4), the requirement forOption 2: Infill Developmentis as follows:

Option 2. Infill Development (1 point)

Select a lot such that at least 75% of the perimeter of the project site immediately borders parcels that are previously developed or that have been graded or otherwise altered by direct human activities.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.

This means that75% of the site’s perimetermust border previously disturbed land to meet the infill development criteria. The population of the town (10,000 in this case) does not directly affect the infill development requirement but may be relevant for other LT credits, such asAccess to Quality TransitorNeighborhood Pattern and Design, which consider community size or density. However, forSite Selection, Option 2, the focus is solely on the perimeter bordering previously disturbed land.

TheLEED v4.1 for Homesrating system aligns with this requirement, as it maintains the same infill development criteria for residential projects under the LT category:

LT Credit: Site Selection, Option 2. Infill Development

At least 75% of the project site’s perimeter must border previously developed or disturbed parcels.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookconfirms that the exam tests knowledge of theLEED v4rating system, including the LT credits, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a primary study resource. The handbook does not alter the technical requirements but emphasizes understanding credit intent and compliance paths, such as the infill development perimeter rule.

Why not the other options?

A. 25%: This is too low and does not meet the minimum threshold for infill development, which requires significant adjacency to previously disturbed land to ensure compact,sustainable development.

B. 50%: While closer, 50% still falls short of the 75% requirement, which is designed to prioritize sites fully integrated into existing developed areas.

D. 100%: Requiring 100% of the perimeter to border previously disturbed land is overly restrictive and not specified in the LEED v4 or v4.1 requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Contaminant Control, which includes strategies to prevent contaminants from entering HVAC systems during construction to maintain indoor air quality.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EQ Credit: Contaminant Control, Option 3: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management (1–2 points)

During construction, seal off all duct boots and vents after HVAC rough-in installation to prevent dust, debris, and other contaminants from entering the system, ensuring clean air distribution upon occupancy.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Contaminant Control, p. 148.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EQ Credit: Contaminant Control

Sealing duct boots and vents during construction is a required step to prevent contamination of HVAC systems, protecting indoor air quality.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isseal off all duct boots and vents(Option C), as this prevents contaminants from entering the HVAC system during construction, aligning with the credit’s requirements.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Community Resources and Services, which awards points based on the number of publicly accessible community services within 1/4 mile (0.4 km) for single-family homes or 1/2 mile (0.8 km) for multi-family projects. The question specifies a 1/2-mile radius, suggesting a multi-family context.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

LT Credit: Community Resources and Services (1–2 points)

Earn 1 point for at least 4 community services or 2 points for 8 or more services within 1/2 mile (0.8 km) walking distance for multi-family projects. Qualifying services include restaurants, schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, and places of worship (e.g., churches), provided they are publicly accessible.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Community Resources and Services, p. 56.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

LT Credit: Community Resources and Services

Community services such as restaurants, schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, and churches within 1/2 mile (0.8 km) of a multi-family project count toward the credit if publicly accessible.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Evaluation of resources:

Three restaurants: All qualify as community services.

One school: Qualifies as a community service.

Two pharmacies: Both qualify as community services.

One church: Qualifies as a place of worship.

One grocery store: Qualifies as a community service.

Total: 3 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 =7 resources.

The correct answer isseven resources(Option C), as all listed services are publicly accessible and within 1/2 mile, contributing to the credit.

Why not the other options?

A. Five resources: This undercounts the qualifying services (7 total).

B. Six resources: This also undercounts the total (7).

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includesRegional Priority (RP) Credits, which provide bonus points for addressing location-specific environmental priorities. A project can pursue multiple RP credits based on its geographic location.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

Regional Priority Credits (1–4 points)

A LEED for Homes v4 project can pursue up to four Regional Priority Credits, which are selected based on the project’s location and the environmental priorities identified for that region. Each RP credit awards one bonus point for achieving a designated existing credit that addresses regional environmental concerns.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credits, p. 190.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

Regional Priority Credits

Projects can earn up to four bonus points by achieving Regional Priority Credits, which are assigned based on the project’s ZIP code or region to address local environmental priorities.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isfour(Option D), as a LEED for Homes v4 project can pursue up to four Regional Priority Credits.

Why not the other options?

A. One: This underestimates the number of RP credits available.

B. Two: This is also too low, as up to four credits can be pursued.